Chapter 3 - Celtic Settlements Flashcards
Describe a crannóg.
Crannógs were built on man-made islands in lakes, to make it harder for their enemies to attack them. Saplings were used to make the walls of the crannógs. The islands were made by piling up stones, rocks, mud an pieces of wood in the middle of the lake. The houses were made from wattle and daub by weaving saplings together and covering them with a mixture of mud and straw. The crannógs were reached by boat or wooden bridge.
Describe a rath.
A rath consisted of a circular area, protected by a raised bank and a timber wall. The houses were made from wattle and daub by weaving saplings together and covering them with a mixture of mud and straw. Sometimes, the wall protecting the homes inside can be made of stone. These are called cashels. Some rates can also have underground passages called souterrains, which were lined with stones to work like and Iron Age fridge, keeping their food cold. Sometimes valuables were stored in them and families may have taken refuge there during raids.
Describe a hillfort.
Hillforts are like raths, but built on hills. This gave them good protection because it gave them a good view of their surroundings. The Hill of Tara is a good example of a hillfort.
Describe a promontory fort.
Promontory forts were built on cliff-top locations on headlands. There is a promontory in Dún Aengus on the Aran Islands. On one side, there is a 100 metre cliff face while on the front, large stones were placed in the ground, making it hard to attack the fort on chariot.
